tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post4707548696466145848..comments2015-08-01T16:37:33.101-07:00Comments on Blissful and Domestic - Creating a Beautiful Life on Less: How Does She Do Christmas on a BudgetDanielle Wagaskyhttps://plus.google.com/104743501614348275776noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-87275637693713155472014-02-24T13:37:06.846-08:002014-02-24T13:37:06.846-08:00One of my favorite Dave Ramsey quotes goes somethi...One of my favorite Dave Ramsey quotes goes something like this: &quot;Christmas is not an emergency. It is not a surprise. It comes at the same time every year!&quot; and I love that! I have Christmas in mind almost year round when it comes to getting the best deals on all the pieces and parts that go into it. As already mentioned, buying gift wrap at clearance prices after Christmas is best. But I also try to look for solid rolls of paper - or designs that could double as wedding or birthday wrap - that way I&#39;m getting wrapping supplies for the whole year - not just Christmas. Christmas cards are also purchased at the after sales for the following year - at a good savings - at least 50%. We always have a budget and I also try to craft as much as possible. The homemade toys - especially! - seem to be a hit with the little ones - our own and the others on our list. I also spread out the cost of Christmas entertaining and meals over the weeks and even months leading up to the holiday. I decide on the things I&#39;ll be making/baking and make a Master Holiday Grocery list. I then divide the list out into the non-perishable (like canned goods), the long shelf life in fridge (like cream cheese) and the things that must be bought much closer to the time they are needed. Then I start working the non-perishable things into my grocery trips early on - say October-ish. I start to take advantage of the sales on butter and cream cheese for example in November during the lead up to Thanksgiving and so on. For that matter I&#39;ll stock up on and freeze those for use long past December! Another tip for someone who wants an artificial Christmas tree is to scout garage sales in the summer months. Sometimes people just give them away - now with that said - they may be missing some branches (in that case put the tree in a corner and make sure the missing branches are hidden in the back!) OR they can be so old and brittle they cut your hands to put them up - then not such a good thing! But some people are getting rid of really nice artificial trees - of all sizes - for cheap! For $10 or $20 bucks you could get a GREAT deal! Just a thought! Also - never buy a tree skirt! A pretty quilt or blanket or tablecloth or even unfinished piece of fabric does just fine. Just tuck under the edges and pouf it a bit and you are good to go! Garage sales are also a GREAT place to find ornaments - people will practically give away old ones in funky/faded colors - use those to DIY new ones - paint them, glitter them, paper mache over them - etc. At a fraction of the cost of buying similar kits for DIY ornaments at the craft store! Buy Halloween costumes at 50% or more for dress up kits for children! Buy Halloween candy that&#39;s been marked down and use it in your Christmas cookies - no one will know or care it came out of a bag with a Halloween theme! When it comes to gift buying, every time you go into a store - look at the mark down section(s) with your gift list in mind. You can often find great deals that way. During the months leading up to Christmas find sites that post daily deals and watch for ones that line up with a gift that would work for someone on your list. The photo calendar idea is a great example! I can think of so many more tips but this comment is already massive - LOL!Klinkj0806http://www.blogger.com/profile/15478276602079178311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-57643319106246459662013-10-05T10:59:23.399-07:002013-10-05T10:59:23.399-07:00I´m so happy I saved this post under favorites so ...I´m so happy I saved this post under favorites so I can re-read it now and plan for christmas. Last year we spent $473 over budget (I set aside money for christmas every month), this year I´m doing a lot of homemade gifts instead and I really want to make it with money left after christmas. I´m well on my way already, I love to have a plan :) Thank you!Cattishttp://cattise.blogg.senoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-14558026757851581332013-07-26T06:18:48.952-07:002013-07-26T06:18:48.952-07:00Great tips! I have a box I keep for gifts I find t...Great tips! I have a box I keep for gifts I find throughout the year. In the past I have bought new in the box items at yard sales and thrift stores. Then when Christmas or a birthday comes I already have many gifts. Samples and freebies work nice for gifts too. If there is a used book store in your area you can bring old books for store credit then buy new gifts there. You can do the same thing with places like Once Upon a Child with kids clothing and toys. I think my favorite gift I give each year is the free walgreen photos we get throughout the year. I give them to my in laws, they love getting recent pictures of the kids. Hubby and I have not exchanged gifts in 9 years. Not since the birth of our first. busy little beehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12346196808048292667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-40906012009741020082012-11-30T20:50:20.374-08:002012-11-30T20:50:20.374-08:00I&#39;m one of the lucky people that doesn&#39;t h...I&#39;m one of the lucky people that doesn&#39;t have to buy gifts. My companion and I agreed long ago not to do Christmas presents - we just enjoy each other&#39;s company. I have no children (by choice!), and his are grown (he gives them money, but there is no official gift exchange). After years of growing up with parents who probably spent too much on Christmas for us (granted, we always have lovely holidays), we have all come to the conclusion that it&#39;s unnecessary to exchange gifts between parents &amp; adult children and between adult siblings. If anything, we DO things together - my sister and I go see &quot;It&#39;s A Wonderful Life&quot; at a historic movie theater...things like that. It&#39;s the EXPERIENCES I appreciate now. Certainly removes a lot of the stress of the holidays, and while I would never take the whole &quot;presents under the tree&quot; experience away from kids, I wish adults would forget the gifts and just enjoy the moment.Mandy BlackCatPratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02857540248028852415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-19020221771189973502012-11-29T03:37:38.216-08:002012-11-29T03:37:38.216-08:00Budget family vacations is the best choice while c...Budget family vacations is the best choice while crisis. People want to travel and save money at the same time. Think about Ukraine vacation, you can find there lots of perfect places. Just discover <a href="http://ukraine-vacation-guide.com/publ/budget_family_vacations/4" rel="nofollow">these wonderful destinations</a> Moreover, citizens of the US, EU and lots of other countries don’t need a visa to go to Ukraine. You can just buy a ticket and go there. Prices are unbelievable cheap there, and girls are charming and wonderful...ukraine-vacation-guide.comhttp://ukraine-vacation-guide.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-84663063386442456352012-11-28T14:13:27.336-08:002012-11-28T14:13:27.336-08:00An inexpensive gift that I&#39;m giving to my in-l...An inexpensive gift that I&#39;m giving to my in-laws this year and it gives every month for a year - a subscription to Guidepost! If you already subscribe, it is only $8 for 12 magazines... It&#39;s a great inspirational magazine that I enjoy and hope they will as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-64647332190498662002012-11-27T20:41:38.204-08:002012-11-27T20:41:38.204-08:00Awesome tips! Our family does something very simi...Awesome tips! Our family does something very similar and it works, as long as we stay in the budget. Would love if you&#39;d join our Countdown to Christmas link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)<br />http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_11_27_archive.htmlDixie n Dottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14404849410247296976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-14084114404439716802012-11-27T20:02:08.798-08:002012-11-27T20:02:08.798-08:00Great tips! I have to confess to being one of tho...Great tips! I have to confess to being one of those who always justifies it as being a special time of year and worth the splurge. The problem is that just about everyone in my family has a birthday in either December or January, so it can really get out of hand easily. Thanks for sharing. [#TALU]Chris Coylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10200338838601334508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-85189213049264830842012-11-27T14:03:25.594-08:002012-11-27T14:03:25.594-08:00I found you from A Round Tuit link up. If our cou...I found you from A Round Tuit link up. If our country ran like your household we would not be in such a deficit. I think that the key is to preplan so you know ahead of time what you&#39;re in for. Thanks for the ideas. Visit my post about getting into that dress with an easy zip idea.<br />http://www.thelostapron.com/2012/11/zip-and-hook-yourself-into-your-dress.htmlAna Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04715469100528245804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-22740496818038024482012-11-27T12:58:12.055-08:002012-11-27T12:58:12.055-08:00All great tips but I just wanted to add that if yo...All great tips but I just wanted to add that if your family draws names, it is important to draw the names right after Christmas for the following year so everyone has a full year to purchase their gift. This gives time to find the perfect deal or to put away some money each month. I find the more time I have to purchase the gifts, the more money I can save by searching out great deals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-71661991716200461422012-11-27T09:51:24.132-08:002012-11-27T09:51:24.132-08:00You have some REALLY great tips here! Especially t...You have some REALLY great tips here! Especially the budget one! :D That is the first place we need to start....Mindy @ New Equus - A New Creationhttp://newequus.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-48336672587340216942012-11-27T09:02:40.228-08:002012-11-27T09:02:40.228-08:00Sounds like you have a beautiful, growing family. ...Sounds like you have a beautiful, growing family. How fun! I am so glad to hear the pulling names works for you too. Less stress during the holidays is THE BEST:&gt; Thanks for always reading!Danielle Wagaskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05725781323332766843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-64587702471736946262012-11-27T09:01:35.507-08:002012-11-27T09:01:35.507-08:00We have an artificial tree. We found it 6 years ag...We have an artificial tree. We found it 6 years ago on sale.Danielle Wagaskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05725781323332766843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-13801127137443230292012-11-27T08:49:37.681-08:002012-11-27T08:49:37.681-08:00These are some awesome tips.
This year, we drew na...These are some awesome tips.<br />This year, we drew names for the first time. Our family is growing by leaps and bounds and we just had to do it. I, for one, am much less stressed. We are a grandma and pa and live on a Social Security budget....so Christmas has always been hard for us. 10 grands, 2 grand-in-laws, one great grand, a son and his wife, a daughter and her hubs....and each other. So you can see how expensive it was to buy all these gifts. This drawing names is WONDERFUL. I can now spend time making bags of cookies and candies and present them in cute bags on Christmas Eve. :))<br />Happy week.<br />O, and I am goiong to follow you. :)bjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04432398383127199206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-89688702712181076812012-11-26T20:36:10.506-08:002012-11-26T20:36:10.506-08:00What about your tree. Do you buy a tree each year ...What about your tree. Do you buy a tree each year or do you have an artificial tree?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-34073696448885300222012-11-25T20:55:48.435-08:002012-11-25T20:55:48.435-08:00Great post Danielle with wonderful tips as always!...Great post Danielle with wonderful tips as always! We put aside a little money each month throughout the year so when December comes we&#39;ve got the extra saved for Christmas and it doesn&#39;t blow our monthly budget!<br /><br />Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!<br />Hope you have a fabulous week!<br />Jill @ Creating my way to Success <br /><a href="http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/ </a><br />Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04377276479172112517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-52134597067862831912012-11-25T20:26:33.947-08:002012-11-25T20:26:33.947-08:00Great idea, we stopped doing gifts for the adults ...Great idea, we stopped doing gifts for the adults once the kids came along. I have 5 of my own and I spend more on the teens now and not much on the babies - they really dont know and check with everyone else what they&#39;re buying my kids so they can fit in with what the kids wantMel@Mellywood's Mansionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07636427820882725798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-14626368054417844262012-11-25T18:53:55.422-08:002012-11-25T18:53:55.422-08:00Target also price matches. They are even price mat...Target also price matches. They are even price matching online prices for several retailers now through Dec. 24. Aprilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-52733127984575605712012-11-25T18:05:33.899-08:002012-11-25T18:05:33.899-08:00Danielle, this is great! :) I barely shop for Chri...Danielle, this is great! :) I barely shop for Christmas around Christmas time, though. (Except: Buying christmas gift right after christmas for the next year on sale.) I don&#39;t budget for christmas gifts either, but have a gift budget of up to 20$ every month. Whenever I go to a store and see something nice at a decent price, I will buy it! It then goes right into my gift box (A.K.A. moving cardboard box). Whenever I need a gift, I will find something in my box. :) That way, I never have to stress out having to buy a gift, or in case I didn&#39;t think of someone&#39;s birthday ahead of time. ;) A lot of times, I will already have someone in mind when buying stuff. But sometimes, I will also buy stuff that I know will work for anyone. For example, I caught a Valentines sale last year, and got chocolate fondues for 1$ a piece! Noone ever thought that&#39;s what I paid - people are more likely telling me all the time that I am spending too much money on them. (Trust me, I don&#39;t. But I would, if I could.) ;)<br />So, if you don&#39;t shop before christmas, but throughout the year, you will have no stress and better deals. When I have extra money coming in before christmas (that other people spend on gifts), this goes right into my vacation slush fund. YAY! <br />Happy Holidays! :) <br />- WiebkeWiebkehttp://pinterest.com/wiebke1986/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-25257622073168784052012-11-25T15:48:59.611-08:002012-11-25T15:48:59.611-08:00Thank you for your sweet comment too. It means a l...Thank you for your sweet comment too. It means a lot.Danielle Wagaskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05725781323332766843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-28306203089449858242012-11-25T15:48:28.684-08:002012-11-25T15:48:28.684-08:00Hopefully a good nerve:&gt; thanks for reading.Hopefully a good nerve:&gt; thanks for reading.Danielle Wagaskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05725781323332766843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-39367717929916808262012-11-25T15:28:56.690-08:002012-11-25T15:28:56.690-08:00Thanks for sharing your tips. I learned so much a...Thanks for sharing your tips. I learned so much and you struck a nerve with me! Appreciate your site, too.Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045164672804981140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-84222649051901610042012-11-25T14:31:08.171-08:002012-11-25T14:31:08.171-08:00Thank you so much. You are too sweet!Thank you so much. You are too sweet!Danielle Wagaskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05725781323332766843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-18817133809849794492012-11-25T14:30:42.650-08:002012-11-25T14:30:42.650-08:00thanks so much:&gt;thanks so much:&gt;Danielle Wagaskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05725781323332766843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4835984507855163277.post-20968518657696745502012-11-25T14:30:10.875-08:002012-11-25T14:30:10.875-08:00How did I forget to mention pinterest:&gt; So true...How did I forget to mention pinterest:&gt; So true. Always great stuff on there.Danielle Wagaskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05725781323332766843noreply@blogger.com